{"product_id":"sunset-loch-swim-bat-walk-friday-9th-october-dark-skies-festival","title":"Sunset Loch Swim \u0026 Bat Walk | Friday 9th October | Dark Skies Festival","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFriday 9 October 2026\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e5pm start\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLoch Trool, Galloway Forest Park\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eExperience the magic of the \u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSouth of Scotland Dark Skies Festival\u003c\/span\u003e with an unforgettable evening of wild swimming and wildlife discovery at Loch Trool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs daylight begins to fade and the sun sets over the Galloway hills, join \u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"\u003eme\u003c\/span\u003e for a refreshing and memorable loch swim in one of Scotland's most spectacular wild locations. Then, as darkness falls, we'll head into the surrounding woodland for a fascinating \u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"\u003eguided bat walk\u003c\/span\u003e with \u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJan Crooks, Bat Walk Volunteer for the Bat Conservation Trust\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eUsing bat detectors, Jan will help us listen out for and identify the bats that emerge as night takes over the forest. Discover more about these incredible nocturnal creatures and experience Loch Trool in a completely different way beneath the darkening skies. We will end the night with hot chocolate and homemade cake at The Hive, Glentrool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is a truly special opportunity to combine the thrill of a wild swim with the wonder of nature after dark, all within the spectacular setting of the \u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"\u003eGalloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and Galloway Forest Park\u003c\/span\u003e, home to some of the darkest skies in the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"\u003eWhat to expect\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eA guided sunset wild swim at Loch Trool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eTime to enjoy the spectacular scenery as day turns to night\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eA guided bat walk with Jan Crooks, Bat Walk Volunteer for the Bat Conservation Trust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eThe opportunity to use bat detectors and listen for bats in the surrounding woodland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eA unique Dark Skies Festival experience connecting water, wildlife and the natural world\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eEnd the night with hot chocolate and homemade cake at The Hive in Glentrool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSuitable for confident outdoor swimmers. Full event information, what to bring and meeting details will be provided before the event.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"\u003ePlaces are limited – book early to join us for this magical evening where wild water meets the wonders of the night.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo refunds will be given unless the event is cancelled by us. In the event of cancellation, a voucher will be issued for the full value of your booking to be used towards a future event.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SwimTheLochs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59198408622425,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/8476\/6041\/files\/hqdefault.jpg?v=1788266590","url":"https:\/\/swimthelochs.co.uk\/products\/sunset-loch-swim-bat-walk-friday-9th-october-dark-skies-festival","provider":"SwimTheLochs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}